22 Oversized Planters You Can Make From Upcycled Items

Amp up your curb appeal (and save some cash) by transforming an old tire, trash can or laundry basket into an eye-catching planter.

By: Chelsea Faulkner

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Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Rustic White Photography, LLC

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia, Styling by Chelsea Faulkner

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia, Styling by Jill Tennant Design

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Sarah Busby, Styling by Chelsea Faulkner

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia, Styling by Jill Tennant Design

Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Johnson Giles, Loch & Key Productions

Photo By: Shain Rievley

Photo By: Image courtesy of Sam Henderson

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia, Styling by Jill Tennant Design

Photo By: Courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Elizabeth Wiseman

Photo By: photo by Sam Henderson

Transform a Tire

Don't toss those spent tires! Turn them into chic planters with a little paint and a few basic materials from the hardware store. This planter looks especially pretty filled with colorful blooms like red and white begonias. When you're ready for a new look, simply roll it to another location or paint it a fresh, seasonal color. Get the step-by-step instructions at the link below.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Turn an Old Tire Into a Pretty Planter

Pretty Pallet Planters

Clever uses for old pallets are never-ending, but sometimes you just want to keep it simple — like upcycling a few old pallet planks into this easy, breezy budget-friendly DIY planter box you can build in about an hour.

GET THE HOW-TO: Upcycle Old Pallets Into Colorful Planter Boxes

Upgrade Old Metal Hanging Baskets

Give your outdoor space the look of an enchanted English garden by transforming inexpensive metal hanging baskets into a gorgeous, cottage-style topiary base for your favorite climbing vine or flower.

GET THE HOW-TO: Craft a Cottage-Inspired Topiary Globe From Old Hanging Baskets

DIY Galvanized Drink Bucket Planter

GET THE HOW-TO: Transform a Galvanized Tub Into a Chic, Summery Planter

Trendy Tree Trunk

A large old tree had to be cut down but was creatively turned into an attractive sculptural oversized planter with midcentury paperclip-style legs for the courtyard.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make a Planter Out of a Recycled Tree Stump

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Turn Tomato Cages Into Plant Stands

GET THE HOW-TO: 3 Fun Ways to Take a Tomato Cage From Practical to Pretty

Craft a Faux Boxwood Flamingo Topiary

Have your kitschy lawn ornaments seen better days? Give those feathered friends a new lease on life and add a tropical twist to your front porch or back patio with this crafty flamingo topiary that needs no maintenance to keep its playful good looks.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kitschy-Cool: How to Craft a Faux Boxwood Flamingo

From: H. Camille Smith

Upcycled Popcorn Tin Planter

Transform a popcorn tin into a chic, concrete-style planter for less than $5. The secret? Paint!

Fix Up a 5-Gallon Bucket

Use outdoor Mod Podge, hot glue, sisal rope and your favorite fabric (or fabric scraps) to transform a 5-gallon bucket into a fun, flirty planter just in time for summer.

GET THE HOW-TO: Upcycle a 5-Gallon Bucket Into a Fun, Fabric-Covered Planter

Transform a Tote

Canvas totes are not only handy for weekend trips and shopping outings; when monogrammed, they also make sweet gifts and even a perfectly personalized planter for your front porch.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Turn a Canvas Tote Into a Pretty Planter

From: H. Camille Smith

Upgrade Your Outdoor Umbrella

GET THE HOW-TO: Throwing Shade: DIY Rolling Umbrella Stand Planter

Nautical Laundry Basket Planter

Has your plastic laundry basket seen better days? Give it new life as a summery, jute-wrapped planter. For this project, you'll need a plastic laundry basket, 1/2-inch 3-ply jute rope, navy blue rope, high-temp hot glue, drill and drill bit, and a plastic drop cloth or trash bag.

GET THE HOW-TO: Upcycle a Laundry Basket Into a Nautical-Style Planter

Vintage Birdcage Succulent Planter

HGTV digital host Marianne Canada teaches you how to take a vintage birdcage and turn it into an upcylced succulent planter. Follow along for the how-to on HGTV.com.

GET THE HOW-TO: Upcycle a Vintage Birdcage Into a Cute Succulent Planter

From: Marianne Canada

Faux Zinc Planter

This stylish zinc planter looks haute but stays cool in the sun. And no one will ever know it’s faux.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Paint a Faux Zinc Planter

Turn an Old Table Into a Raised Planter

Save your back and boost your lawn’s curb appeal with a DIY raised cedar planter that rests on an upcycled table base.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Turn an Old Table Into a Raised Planter

Finishing Up

Add potting soil. Adjust shape as you fill and tamp down soil slightly to create desired spiral form. Add plants leaving enough room for future growth. Water fully.

GET THE HOW-TO: Spin Control: Make a Spiral Planter

DIY Tile Planter

Trash to Treasure

GET THE HOW-TO: Create a Mobile Container Garden

Put It on Display

Transform a plastic trash can into a farmhouse-chic planter for less than $10. Place your new shiplap-inspired planter next to the front door for a farmhouse-chic look you can enjoy all year long.

GET THE HOW-TO: Transform a Plastic Trash Can Into a Shiplap-Inspired Planter

Weatherproof a Basket

You’ve seen it on all your favorite design sites and in catalogs: a wicker basket as a planter. But water + natural woven fibers = leaks and a rotten mess in short order. Learn how to protect your pricey basket while still achieving a trendy look with our waterproofing tips.

GET THE HOW-TO: Turn a Woven Basket Into a Pretty Planter

From: H. Camille Smith

A Brick Planter With House Numbers Stuffed With Plants

This brick planter sits against a lovely stone house beside two other planters. The planter consists of bricks sitting atop a cedar base with a house number plaque on the front.

GET THE HOW-TO: Brick-by-Brick Guide to Building a Raised Planter With House Numbers

Dressed to Impress

Sometimes breathing new life into antiques means giving them a totally new function like this antique shaving stand. Gone are the days of beard trimmings! It now serves a new post as official greeter, lined with lively pansies and other cheerful trinkets. Create a similar welcome for your home with an estate sale find or something you have tucked away in the attic.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Front-Porch Planter From Repurposed Furniture

22 Oversized Planters You Can Make From Upcycled Items

Related To:

Shop This Look

Transform a Tire

Pretty Pallet Planters

Upgrade Old Metal Hanging Baskets

DIY Galvanized Drink Bucket Planter

Trendy Tree Trunk

Turn Tomato Cages Into Plant Stands

Craft a Faux Boxwood Flamingo Topiary

Upcycled Popcorn Tin Planter

Fix Up a 5-Gallon Bucket

Transform a Tote

Upgrade Your Outdoor Umbrella

Nautical Laundry Basket Planter

Vintage Birdcage Succulent Planter

Faux Zinc Planter

Turn an Old Table Into a Raised Planter

Finishing Up

DIY Tile Planter

Trash to Treasure

Put It on Display

Weatherproof a Basket

A Brick Planter With House Numbers Stuffed With Plants

Dressed to Impress

Grow an Olive Tree

How to Plant a Cactus Container Garden

How to Grow Patio Roses in Containers

Design a Striking Succulent Container

34 Shade-Loving Plants for Containers and Hanging Baskets 34 Photos

DIY Cinderblock House Number Planter

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